UFT Delegates Agree To Put New Teachers Contract Up For Rank And File Vote

“I do sense enthusiasm and I think there’s a few reasons why I sense enthusiasm. It’s because there’s a lot of value of teachers in this contract,” said Marquis Harrison, a teacher at Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem.

Harrison said the contract improves his profession.

But some, including Frank Boyle at P.S. 68 in Ridgewood, believe a better deal could be reached.

“We’re in the ballpark, like I said, I think we could do better,” he said.

“We are so desperate after waiting five years, are they gonna be able to negotiate again?” said Marci Licari, a teacher at Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn. “The feeling seems to be that there is a lot of dissatisfaction.”

Opponents to the contract said the delegate vote was 3-1.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew said it was overwhelming.

“There’s always people who are upset, which is fine. I think we have a very fair deal and I’m very happy with what we have,” he said.

The nine-year contract includes back pay equivalent of nearly 8 percent of teachers’ salaries and a series of additional small raises through 2018.

The rank and file ballots will be mailed out and are expected to be counted in early June.